Mixed martial arts has long been a sport known for bringing people from different backgrounds together in competition. Fighters from all around the world train in MMA’s various disciplines, honing their skills to compete at the sport’s highest levels. In recent months, however, one area in particular has distinguished itself within the Ultimate Fighting Championship as a hotbed for elite prospects within MMA’s premier organization.
The Republic of Dagestan is a small country that is currently part of the Russian Federation, and this small area has become known in the world of mixed martial arts for producing some of the toughest competitors in the sport today. Over the past 12 months, the UFC has seen Dagestani fighters emerge as potential contenders in two of its divisions, while another recently debuted in a third. Lightweights Khabib Nurmagomedov, Rashid Magomedov, and Rustam Khabilov; featherweight Ali Bagautinov; and heavyweight Ruslan Magomedov have been tearing up the UFC ranks since becoming Zuffa signees. Collectively, these fighters have an overall record of 82-5, and are undefeated in the Octagon, having accumulated fifteen straight wins.
Last weekend saw two of these men in action — Ruslan and Rashid Magomedov, at UFC Fight Night 41 and The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale respectively — and this coming weekend, Rustam Khabilov will become the first member of this group to compete in a main event matchup, as he squares off with former lightweight champion Benson Henderson at UFC Fight Night 42. Not to be undone, Ali Bagautinov will be headlining this month’s UFC 174 pay-per-view, taking on UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson. Both men may be underdogs, but they have Greg Jackson on their side (who hosts three Dagestani fighters at Jackson MMA — Ruslan Magomedov being the third), so they are more than capable of pulling out victories. And if they do manage to extend this streak, the UFC would boast both a Dagestani champion and a Dagestani top 3 title contender.
Yet it is Khabib Nurmagomedov that is probably currently the biggest name out of the Dagestani contingent at this point in time, and the fighter most regarded as a potential future champion. The undefeated fighter, who trains out of American Kickboxing Academy, is 22-0 and on the fast track to a title shot within the lightweight division. The UFC currently has him in the fourth position of its company rankings. Nurmagomedov is becoming such a favorite within the organization that UFC President Dana White consistently raves about how other fighters are refusing to take fights against him. Whether this situation is true or not is immaterial; the fact remains that with the company firmly behind him, “The Eagle” is the closest to becoming the star of this faction.
The UFC has long talked about its plans to host an event in Russia, dating back to its pursuit of MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko. Yet while countries like Canada and Brazil have produced multiple top-level fighters capable of headlining cards in their home countries, the UFC’s “world domination” strategy hasn’t yielded a roster of international talent and star power sufficient to sustain its aggressive global expansion. However, with Dagestani fighters currently tearing up the ranks, the UFC may soon have another puzzle piece, and other countries could soon look to Dagestan as one of the capitals of today’s mixed martial arts scene.
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UFC Fight Night 42: Henderson vs. Khabilov is due to take place on June 7, 2014 at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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UFC 174: Johnson vs. Bagautinov is due to take place on June 14, 2014 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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